UDS Build(s)...

[evo 9 guy]

Alright, so I am in the process now of getting the "liner/paint" out of a drum that help apple juice in its previous life. I made a fire in the drum on Monday night; however, it was not large enough to do the trick. I am aware that it has to be a large, hot fire, but I am smack dab in the middle of a suburb community in Orange County and seeing as the Fire Department is only a mile away, I have a feeling that I will have them there in about ten minutes (great in case of emergency, but for this application...not so much). I know I can sand it down, but oh man that would take forever. So really my question is what do you guys think would be the next best thing to clean the drum up with? I am builing three UDSs in the long run but only one at a time. One of them is a X-mas gift for my Gf's dad in return of buying my El Cheapo Harbor Freight smoker. Any help, input, or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rickw]

How about burning it off with a weedburner.

 

[evo 9 guy]

Hmmm....I dont have one, but maybe I can pick one up. I will look into the prices now. Thank you.

 

[meat hunter]

Well you could try loading it in the car and going out into the sticks and lighting it up, away from everyone. Sanding would take you forever. There is an item you may want to check out out. It an automotive paint remover. Mayhyde makes it, sold at most auto parts stores. Simply spray it on and within minutes the paint will bubble up and can EASILY be scraped away. Grafitti remover in the spray can also works. It will dissolve paint and plastics. Only do a little at a time as you will have to get in the drum somewhat to remove the bubbled paint and do not want to breath that stuff in. Also, do no get it on your skin. If you do that, then I would say burning what ever is left at your house would be no problem. Just a thought.

 

[evo 9 guy]

That would most likely work best. Thanks for the info!

 

[evo 9 guy]

If I were to say...stay up all night and do it when nobody knows about it. How much wood/fuel is recommended to completly burn the drum out? Thank you again for all of the help.

 

[pandemonium]

can someone tell me what a weedburner is?

 

[rickw]

Weedburner

 

[meat hunter]

There are two types of weed burners. The first one here is pretty popular, but I dont think they will do much good in burning out a barrel.



The second one here is what we are talking about. Hook up to a bbq propane tank. Used to burn weeds, thaw frozen pipes. Anywhere you need a quick, intense flame.

 

[pandemonium]

cool lol i like the first option

 

[rw willy]

Make sure you have the holes in the bottom FIRST, then burn. A couple of pallets otta do it. If you burn HOT there will be no smoke and NOone knows.

 

[ronp]

Call the fire dept maybe they will voulnteer to do it. Then you can bribe them with a payback.

 

[coffee_junkie]

What they said, check the local rental store, maybe they rent the weedburners....they do here in Montana!
Two pallets should do it also, cut them in 3' sections and go to town, have a hose handy. You could plan a camping trip, and make some smores!

 

[chefrob]

always thinkin on yer feet.....best idea so far.

 

[rickw]

One mistake I made when doing a burn out was, I also burnt the drum lid. That made the lid warp some. If you're gonna use the lid just sand it down and take the gasket off and you'll be good.

 

[ddave]

Well . . . with all do respect, a couple of pallets won't even make a dent in the red liner. I speak from experience. That red liner is tough stuff.

And, if you burn hot there will be no smoke so no one will know???

What about the big orange flames shooting out of the top of the barrel??

I started with a drum that held apple juice in it's former life. And that yellow drum you see in my avatar ain't it. I ended up getting a different drum.

If I were you, I'd try the weed burner or if you know someone who lives out of town, take it to their place and do a BIG ^%$^ burn. Or maybe see if you can find someone to sandblast it for you.

Or find another drum although I know that's not always easy.

Dave

 

[zjaybird]

I agree with Dave, I bought a drum that had orange juice...the liner is a special enamel coating. One pallet was not enough to do mine, and you could smell it burning. Tried doing mine at 3 am. Put it out with water...smell was getting bad. Since I started building mine, a coworker got the bug and found a good clean drum at a local feed store for $10. I bought mine for $20. So guess who got the better deal.

Good luck.....
Hope to have my uds ready for testing this weekend and like Dave.....the drum with the liner is crushed and recycled.....the one I am completing didn't have a liner....

 

[travcoman45]

Weed burner, Harbour Frieght sells one fer bout 30 bucks I think, a turbo model. It will get hot enough to remove the liner.

I use a 5 million btu one, burnerd er good once an gave er the wire wheel in the angle grinder. Gave er another burn, wire wheel again an then another reheat then power washed it. It got nearly all the liner out, what's left ain't never bothered a thing an is now covered by the seasonin.

Weed burners er great fer lots a things, like lighten charcoal, burnin weeds, lighten the wood stove an stuff like that. If ya buy one you'll wonder how ya ever got along without one.

I burned mine out then did all the layout an drillen. Painted it with the primer coat so the layout lines was easier ta see.

 

[evo 9 guy]

Thanks for all of the ideas guys. I ended up getting a Weed Burner from Harbor Freight for 25 bucks on sale. Took some time to get everything but its good now. I think I might have to return my propane tank though. I can see myself wanting to "Play" too much. Hoping to have the unit done this weekend. Just have to weld the intake holes in place and then weld some expanded steel together for the fire basket, season and smoke.

David

 

[muffdogg]

Pretty shocked it takes that much work to get the liner off. I just found lined olive oil drums for free, so i picked up four of them. I though the wire wheel alone would take it off in a jiff. Looks like i got some work ahead of me.